2004 Mazda MAZDA3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
145 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
59,151 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 111 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 145 complaints (11.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 30 | 20.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 21 | 14.5% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 13.8% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 4.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 17 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 7 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
Steering: 17; Air Bags: 16; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 8; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 7; Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 35 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 29 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 29; 2005: 12; 2006: 11; 2007: 7; 2008: 13; 2009: 8; 2010: 15; 2011: 11; 2012: 4; 2013: 7; 2014: 5; 2015: 10; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10067827 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
1)4 DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD 3 LARGE (1M WIDE MORE THAN .5MM DEEP) GROOVES AND THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE STARTING TO DEVELOP THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PADS MUST HAVE SOME TYPE OF HARD METALIC PIECES IN THEM THAT GRADUALLY DESTROYS THE BRAKE ROTORS. 2)IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE PADS WEAR THE ROTORS TO AN UNSAVE LIMIT. SO, I RETURNED TO MY MAZDA DEALER FOR SERVICE. JIM ELLIS MAZDA OF MARIETTA 3)THE SERVICE STAFF THERE WAS HORRIBLE AND IN THE END DID NOTHING TO FIX THE CAUSE OF THE GROOVES. THE SHAVED AN UN…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072459 · 2004-05-12 (May 12, 2004)
AFTER 200 MILES I NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATING ON THE REAR WHEELS. THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR SURFACES ARE WORN EXTREMELY UNEVEN WITH MULTIPLE GROOVES. THIS TYPE AND AMOUNT OF WEAR IS WHAT I WOULD EXPECT AFTER 10,000 MILES NOT 200. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE HARDLY WORN AT ALL AND STILL EXHIBIT THE ORIGINAL MACHINED SURFACE. I FOUND THAT MAZDA HAS A NEW BRAKE PAD FOR THE REAR BRAKES (P/N: BPYK-26-48Z) BUT NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072458 · 2004-05-12 (May 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT BETWEEN 1, 2 AND 3 GEARS. THE OTHER GEARS SHIFTED SMOOTHLY WITHOUT PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE NO ABNORMAL NOISES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT WITH GREAT EFFORT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS FILLED WITH CONCRETE. BEING UNABLE TO SHIFT CAUSES A PROBLEM IN OPERATING THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND IS BALKING AT REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS O…
Owner-reported narrative. 533 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072576 · 2004-05-13 (May 13, 2004)
I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP ON MAY 2, 2004 AND PURCHASED A 2004 MAZDA 3. IT HAD 16 MILES ON IT. DROVE FINE FOR A WEEK! ON MAY 9TH, MY FAMILIY AND I WERE DRIVING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. WE SLOWLY MADE IT HOME IN 1ST GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED IT UP ON MONDAY MAY 10TH AND HAS SAID IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THE FULL TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED AT 250 MILES. IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 4 DAYS NOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101519 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
THE CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN THAT THE PLASTIC COVER THAT GOES AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING A 2004 MAZDA 3, WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT INTERFERED WITH THE BRAKING WHEN NEEDED. THE CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH.*JB AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN FOUND BRAKE PEDAL HINDERED BY LOOSE COVER ON STERING COLUMN. *EH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,189 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258346 · 2009-02-11 (February 11, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE GREAT FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089021 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
FAULTY FUEL PUMP LEADS TO SEVERAL ENGINE STALLS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205612 · 2007-10-14 (October 14, 2007)
WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, AT A LOW SPEED, CHANGING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD, THE CAR STALLED. UPON TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. AFTER THE CAR WAS PUSHED OFF OF THE ROAD, THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL LEFT BEHIND. REALIZING THAT THE CAR WASN'T GOING TO RESTART, IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER BEING PUT UP ON THE LIFT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ROD SLAMMED INTO THE ENGINE BLOCKING, SEIZING THE ENGINE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO REASON FOR THE ROD TO CRACK ON A WELL MAINTAINED ENGINE, ON A 2004 VEHICLE. IN ORDER…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129755 · 2005-07-22 (July 22, 2005)
(1) I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAZDA 3S IN MARCH OF 2004. I HAVE ENJOYED IT VIRTUALLY MAINTENANCE FREE (BESIDES ROUTINE) FOR OVER 1 YEAR. (2) IN APRIL OF 2005, I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR. IT HESITATED FOR OVER 10 SECONDS AND FINALLY TURNED OVER. I WAS ALARMED, AND AFTER A FEW MORE TIMES OF THIS HAPPENING, I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. (3) IT WAS DECIDED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I RECEIVED A NEW FUEL PUMP (UNDER WARRANTY) AND AFTER A WEEK, IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND MY CAR WEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138301 · 2005-10-01 (October 1, 2005)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE VEHICLE, MAZDA 3 MANUAL, WAS RETURNED TO DEALER AFTER AIRBAG RECALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SUFFERED FROM MANY COMPLAINTS. SERVICE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT A LOOSE GROUND WIRE AT ONE OF THE FUSE PANELS WAS THE FAULT. VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RAN AS PROMISED FOR MONTHS UNTIL BOTH LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS BLEW AT THE SAME TIME. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND ACTION WILL TAKE PLACE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAULTS IN THE VEHICLE AND ASSUME MANY MORE ARE TO COME. SAFETY WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,981 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073022 · 2004-05-23 (May 23, 2004)
2004 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS PROBLEMS WITH STARTING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE IT WAS TAKING UPWARDS OF 8 SECONDS AND 2 ATTEMPTS BEFORE CAR WOULD START. THE CAR HAD 643 MILES WHEN I TOOK IT IN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT IS STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 4 SECONDS TO START, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. ALSO THERE IS RATTLE SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH OF THE CAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073022 at NHTSA ↗